GENEVA, Switzerland — Current production levels of key minerals such as lithium, cobalt, and nickel needed for clean energy technologies are insufficient to reach global climate goals, a United Nations agency said Friday.
According to a study by UN Trade and Development, demand for lithium could rise by more than 1,500 percent by 2050, with similar increases for other minerals required to manufacture solar panels, wind turbines, and electric car batteries.
“Global investments in critical energy transition minerals are not keeping pace with escalating demand,” the report said.
“Current production levels are inadequate to meet the needs required to limit global warming to 1.5C, in line with the Paris Agreement.”
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The UN said it identified 110 new mining projects across the world with a value of $39 billion, with $22 billion invested in 60 projects in…
